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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Anthropometric measurements in a newborn population in West Africa: A reliable and simple tool for the identification of infants at risk for early postnatal morbidity
The Journal of Pediatrics, Volume 118, No. 5, Year 1991
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Description
The predictive value of anthropometric measurements in the identification of infants at risk for early postnatal morbidity was assessed in a cohort of 490 neonates born in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Mid-arm circumference (MAC), head circumference, weight, and length were measured within 6 hours of birth, and the gestational age, individual MAC/head circumference ratio, and individual ponderal index were calculated. A detailed questionnaire on gestational medical history was also obtained from the mothers. All infants were then closely monitored during the first 72 hours after delivery for the appearance of symptoms requiring medical intervention and treated accordingly. Low birth weight (LBW) was observed in 37.75%, prematurity in 25.5%, and small size for gestational age in 14.1% of the neonates. Gestational medical problems were reported by 44.3% of the mothers; malaria was the most frequent. Early postnatal morbidity was observed in 26% of the infants; infection (53%), respiratory distress (26%), hypoglycemia (26%), and convulsions (11.7%) accounted for most of the problems. The MAC correlated best of all variables with birth weight (r=0.91); a value of ≤9.5 cm had a 93% sensitivity and a 90.5% specificity in the prediction of LBW. An MAC cutoff value of ≤9.5 cm was also the best of all variables in the prediction of early postnatal morbidity, and 85.2% sensitivity and 74.3% specificity were achieved. We conclude that in developing countries, where scales are not always available and the overburdened maternity wards cannot allow for medical surveillance of every infant, the MAC can be used in the estimation of birth weight. Moreover, an appropriately calculated cutoff value of MAC may serve as a reliable indicator of LBW and of infants at risk for early postnatal morbidity. © 1991 Mosby-Year Book, Inc.
Authors & Co-Authors
Gozal, David
Cameroon, Yaounde
Central Hospital of Yaounde Fmbs
Cameroon, Yaounde
Centre Universitaire Des Sciences de la Sante Cameroon
Cameroon, Yaounde
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
Koki-Ndombo, Paul
Cameroon, Yaounde
Central Hospital of Yaounde Fmbs
Cameroon, Yaounde
Centre Universitaire Des Sciences de la Sante Cameroon
Cameroon, Yaounde
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
Ze Minkandé, Jacqueline
Cameroon, Yaounde
Central Hospital of Yaounde Fmbs
Cameroon, Yaounde
Centre Universitaire Des Sciences de la Sante Cameroon
Cameroon, Yaounde
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
Kago, Innocent
Cameroon, Yaounde
Central Hospital of Yaounde Fmbs
Cameroon, Yaounde
Centre Universitaire Des Sciences de la Sante Cameroon
Cameroon, Yaounde
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
Tetanye, Ekoe
Cameroon, Yaounde
Central Hospital of Yaounde Fmbs
Cameroon, Yaounde
Centre Universitaire Des Sciences de la Sante Cameroon
Cameroon, Yaounde
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
Mbédé, Joseph
Cameroon, Yaounde
Central Hospital of Yaounde Fmbs
Cameroon, Yaounde
Centre Universitaire Des Sciences de la Sante Cameroon
Cameroon, Yaounde
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
Statistics
Citations: 31
Authors: 6
Affiliations: 3
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1016/S0022-3476(05)80049-6
ISSN:
00223476
Research Areas
Infectious Diseases
Maternal And Child Health
Study Design
Randomised Control Trial
Cross Sectional Study
Cohort Study
Study Locations
Multi-countries
Cameroon